A boy said to be under the age of 10 has been rushed to hospital after reportedly being stabbed, leaving neighbours in shock.
Forensics officers were at the scene of an incident which happened in Bolton, Greater Manchester, at about 3pm today.
Unconfirmed reports suggested a young boy had been stabbed.
Around a dozen police and paramedic vehicles raced to the scene, and an air ambulance was scrambled, according to witnesses.
The child’s next door neighbour told the Manchester Evening News: “He’s just a normal, happy little boy. I can’t believe this has happened.”
A North West Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics attended the scene and treated a child under the age of 10.
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The child was "alert" and transported to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for further treatment, the spokeswoman added.
Police set up a cordon around the scene. Sniffer dogs were searching the area.
Forensics soon arrived, and just after 6pm a 4x4, believed to be an unmarked police car, containing several people sped through the cordon and away from the scene with lights flashing.
Officers cleared the police tape and began leaving the scene just before 6.40pm.
People who live in the neighbourhood said it is usually quiet and they were in shock following Saturday afternoon's incident.
Local resident Emma Collins said: “They’re such a quiet family, I don’t think the kids really play out. Just a really nice family.”
Another resident said: “God, this is awful. I really hope he’s ok.”
A mum who lives nearby said she fears for her own children after the incident.
She said: “It’s such a quiet street, I came outside and there was a helicopter overhead. I’ve never seen anything like it."
The mum added: “I do worry about my own children.
"I always see that little boy walking down the street with his mum and I know them to wave to."
Another resident said: “I came out of the house and there was a helicopter circling for quite a while.
"We don’t know if the boy is ok and that’s really worrying.”
Two witnesses who returned home from a day out in Manchester said they saw as many as six ambulances and seven police cars in the street.
An air ambulance was also called to the scene.
Greater Manchester Police has not yet commented on the incident.
